Former âEncounter Specialistâ, E DM Among Eight Who Face Interview For Ram Mandir Trust CEO Post
News india âEncounter Specialistâ, E DM Among Eight Who Face Interview For Ram Mandir Trust CEO Post âEncounter Specialistâ, E DM Among Eight Who Face
News india âEncounter Specialistâ, E DM Among Eight Who Face Interview For Ram Mandir Trust CEO Post âEncounter Specialistâ, E DM Among Eight Who Face Interview For Ram Mandir Trust CEO Post Reported By, Last Updated: August 12, 2026, 00:42 IST The presence of four former military officers among the eight candidates interviewed on the first day is also significant The appointment comes at a time when the temple has evolved from a construction project into a massive religious and public institution, with the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya increasing substantially. File image The selection process for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust moved into its decisive phase on Tuesday, with eight former senior officials appearing for interviews in Ayodhya. Those interviewed on the first day included three former IAS officers, one former IPS officer, and four former military officers, according to sources. Among the prominent names were former Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, who was known as an âencounter specialist", and former Jaunpur District Magistrate Dinesh Chandra. The interview process is being conducted for the appointment of the temple trustâs first CEO, a post created as the scale and complexity of the Ram Mandirâs administration continue to expand. Ayodhya DM also among prominent contenders Ayodhya District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra is also among the 18 shortlisted candidates and has appeared before the selection panel as part of the process.
His candidature is particularly significant because of his previous experience of administering Ayodhya and handling the cityâs religious gatherings, security requirements, and large-scale movement of devotees. Mishra has also served as district magistrate in other major Uttar Pradesh districts, including Lucknow and Varanasi, giving him extensive administrative experience. Rajesh Pandeyâs candidature has attracted attention because of his policing background. The former IPS officer was associated with high-profile anti-crime operations in Uttar Pradesh and came to be known as an âencounter specialist". He is currently also associated with the trust of the historic Aliganj Hanuman Temple in Lucknow, according to reports. 18 candidates shortlisted from over 5,300 applications The eight officers interviewed on Tuesday are part of a larger pool of 18 candidates shortlisted from more than 5,300 applications received from across the country for the newly created post. The names of most of the shortlisted candidates have not been made public. Apart from Rajesh Pandey and Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, only a few names have emerged publicly during the selection process. The interviews are being conducted over multiple days, with candidates being questioned for around one to two hours. The panel is assessing their administrative and professional experience, previous assignments, leadership capabilities, and experience in handling large institutions. Questions go beyond administrative experience The selection process is not restricted to the candidatesâ official careers. The panel is also examining their understanding of the responsibilities associated with the Ram Mandir, their personal and family backgrounds, their leadership qualities, and their understanding of the templeâs religious significance.
The BriefWire